The people's worship, and psalter. A complete order of service for the morning and evening worship of Christian congregations

Front matter

Book , / V \ 2 _ (jcpigtel^ Li_

COKTRIGHT DEPOSIT.

THE PEOPLE'S WORSHIP, AND PSALTER.

Introduction

3. This Order has aimed to express the people's worship. In this service less depends on the minister's personality ; more, on his desire to assist the people to worship. The preaching and his manner of conducting the service will give to his personality sufficient opportunity; it is the personality of the people which is here accented.

4. Very little that is entirely new is suggested ; and what is new may remain unused without serious detriment to the significance of the service. The aim has been rather to re-arrange existing usages so as to secure the above desiderata of naturalness, spirituality, and emphasis of the people's part. A few venerable forms, to be found in most of our hymnals, although hitherto seldom used, are suggested because of their simple grandeur and their exalted spirituality above most of our modern productions. They originated in the Primitive Church, and are the property of no one denomination, but belong to the whole Body of Christ. They have stood the test of time, and the people have never wearied of them.

The authors put forth this offering in the belief that it is timely. There is a growing demand for a people's worship which shall be both natural and spiritual. The Church of the Apostles had nothing else. Responsive psalms, general hymns, general prayers, general responses by all, made up the early worship. The Papacy gradually silenced the people's voice, and substituted pageantry by priest and choir. The English Reformers made their first struggle to win back worship for the people. The American Puritans, rejecting the English liturgy as still too ritualistic, nevertheless stoutly maintained, in general psalm, in requests for prayer, in reverent standing during prayer, and in final response, the people's privilege in public worship. It was the successors of the early American fathers who allowed choirs and artistic singers and great organs to take away again, like the Papacy of old, the people's voice, and finally to leave us with the present elaborate, but changeful and often unmeaning, patchwork style of service.

So, not with haste, but after prolonged and careful study of the history and meaning of the various forms of Christian worship ; not as hostile innovators, but rejoicing in all the steps already taken towards a true utterance of the people's devotion; not as heralds of any untried and undesired fashion of service, but as s

IN TROD UCTIOIST.

endeavoring to express the scriptural idea of spiritual worship by "all the people " in familiar forms of modern usage; and finally, with no disrespect for the past, but in affectionate harmony with the Evangelical faith delivered to us from the fathers, the authors devoutly put forth this book of worship.

They are conscious that it is not without defects, although it has been the work of years, and has been retained for revision many months since its completion. Yet its defects are believed not to be serious, but likely to be obscured by a brief use. It is set forth in the belief simply that it will prove a true enrichment to existing methods, and in the trust that it will assist to profounder devotion and higher enjoyment of soul in the house of the Lord.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

We have spoken of the meaning which ought to underlie an order of worship. It will be well to call attention to the presence and position of several salient features of this service.

Divine service always involves two elements, — the approach of the people to God, and the message of God to the people. In the order here submitted, these two parts are presented in succession. Under the heading "Devotion" are found the songs of praise, the confession of sin, the prayers of the people, and other acts in which they make their address to God. In the second part, under the heading " Instruction," will be found the commandments spoken of old, the teachings of Scripture, and the sermon of him who speaks in the name of God.

Preference is given to the " Holy, holy, holy," as the opening doxology, for two reasons : (i) it is followed by the Confession of Sin, and as a recognition of the holiness of God it naturally' leads the way to a recognition of the sinfulness of the human heart ; (2) the music is less labored and more inspiriting than "Old Hundred."

In all private prayer the first instinct is confession. Therefore confession should be a feature, and always a feature of public worship. Praise is not quite natural until the worshipper is in some way reminded that he is under no condemnation. Indeed,

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

the Lord's Prayer is more fully entered into, if, instead of uttering it thoughtlessly at the beginning of the service, the worshipper is prepared for it in heart by confession, and acceptance of grace. The two confessions (morning and evening) have been arranged from the scripture texts most endeared by use and experience to Evangelical congregations.

The " Glory be to the Father," etc., rightfully belongs at the end of the psalm. There is where it was born in the Primitive Church. The early Christians wished to remind themselves and others that they interpreted the psalms in the light of the glorious Trinity.

The " Venite " has for ages been the opening morning prayer of Christian congregations. It is peculiarly adapted to this purpose, and ought to have a frequent use in our worship of praise. The " Te Deum " and the "Gloria in Excelsis " are venerable hymns of the Early Church, and for stateliness and uplifting power ought to be familiar in our modern worship.

The Creed, which is inserted for optional use, is seen to differ slightly from the ordinary phrasing. It is not called the Apostles' Creed, because there is no true Apostles' Creed. There is no authentic original ; it has existed in various forms ; it was changed to meet the changing aspects of faith in several successive centuries. The changes here introduced are therefore not without precedent; they remove the need for any prefatory note regarding phrases at which many stumble ; and they so broaden the old symbol, moreover, that no Evangelical believer can scruple to use it.

Why should not God's commands in both Old and New Testaments have a stated place in our worship ? They are here given a regular position in both morning and evening service in the faith that greater familiarity with the divine precepts will issue in a wider obedience to them. Great variety, it will be noticed, is given in their selection.

The sermon is but the elucidation of God's word to us. In order that this close connection may not be forgotten by the people, the two are placed in conjunction. To divide them by a hymn is meaningless ; the only reason a hymn is ever put there is because it seems a convenient place to interject one. In this service, other places quite as convenient for the hymns are provided under the general head of Devotion ; so that the natural relation of sermon to Scripture may have nothing to obscure it in the minds of the people.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

After the Scripture lesson, however, and before the sermon, may be sung with good reason the single line " Glory be to Thee, O God." This exclamation was customary in the primitive Church, in recognition of the inestimable gift of God's revelation of himself in the Scriptures.

Other illustrations of the effort to arrive at naturalness of worship will be evident as the service remains in use.

Contents

PAGE

The People's Morning Worship 13

The People's Evening Worship 21

Index to the Psalter 125

Supplementary Note on Conduct of Worship . . 126

C^e Rowing Wovtfyip.

i.

2Detootiotn

THE CALL TO WORSHIP.

Let the Minister begin the service by reading one or more appropriate Scriptures.

THE MORNING DOXOLOGY.

Let all the People co?)wience the worship in the following doxology :

All the Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty :

Standing. Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee ;

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

Or, if preferred, may be sung :

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ; Praise Him, all creatures here below ; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host : Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

THE MORNING WORSHIP.

All the People still standing.

A SCRIPTURAL CONFESSION.

Let Minister and People then unite in this Confession : Minister : If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

People : If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (John i. S, 9.)

Minister : Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast

OUt. (John vi. 37.)

People :

and People.

For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. iv. 15, 16.)

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness ; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit ; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Create in me a clean heart, O God : and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. li. 1,10, 17.)

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John Hi. 16.)

People :

Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. v. 1.)

THE MORNING WORSHIP.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil :

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. {Matt: vi. 9-13.)

An Anthem of Praise may here be sting by the Choir.

A SELECTION FROM THE PSALMS.

All the The Psalm is to be read responsively between the Minister and

People the p eo pi e , /it the end of the Psalm should be sung :

standing. jt j &

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost ;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end : Amen.

If desired, a brief Scripture Lesson of Praise may here be read by the Minister. Passages like the following are suggested : Ps. xxiiL, c, cl. ; Luke i. 46-55 ; Rom. viii. 35-39; Rev. iv. 8-1 1 : v. 8-14.

A HYMN OF PRAISE.

The hymn is to be sung by all the People. Unless a special hymn is announced by the Minister, either the " We praise Thee, O God" (page 36), or the " O come, let us sing"" (page 38), will be chanted by the Choir and the People.

a?id People :

All the People standing.

If)

THE MORNING WORSHIP.

A CREED.

All the At the close of the hymn {unless the hymn has been the " We

Standing! 1 P raise Thee i 0 God " which is in itself a creed), may be repeated by the Minister and People the following Creed:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth ;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord : Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost ; Born of the virgin Mary ; Suffered under Pontius Pilate ; Was crucified, dead, and buried ; The third day he rose from the dead ; He ascended into heaven,

And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost ; The Church of the Living God ; The Communion of saints ; The Forgiveness of sins ; The Resurrection of the dead ; And the Life Everlasting. Amen.

THE GENERAL PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE.

Let the uttered prayer of the Minister be the prayer of all the People. The Minister may close this prayer with the Pauline Doxology :

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the Church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, world without end. — ( E P h ' m - 20 > 2I )

To which let all the People say the Amen.

At the close of the prayer, a response may be sung by the Choir, if desired.

THE MORNING WORSHIP.

THE OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE.

The gathering of the Offerings should be preceded or followed by a brief prayer of dedication During the gathering any Scripture relating to giving may be read or sung. But if desired, the offerings may be gathered after the Sermon.

A HYMN OF FAITH AND CONSECRATION.

Let all the People sing the hymn. A t the conclusion of this part of the Service the week's Announcejnents may be ?nade.

II

instruction.

Either the Commandments, or the Law of Love, or the Beatitudes should be read as part of the Morning Instruction.

THE COMMANDMENTS.

If the Commandments are used, the Minister should 1'ead the Ten, and then the Two Great Commandments, the People saying or singing the responses.

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God;

I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them ; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me ; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

1 8

THE MORNING WORSHIP.

III. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

IV. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work \ but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God ; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid- servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates ; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : wherefore the Lord blest the Sabbath day, and hal- - lowed it.

All the People : Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep these laws.

V. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

VI. Thou shalt not kill.

VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

VIII. Thou shalt not steal.

IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's. (Ex. xx. 3-17.)

All the People : Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our

hearts to keep these laws.

Jesus said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it : thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. (Matt. xxii. 37-49.) All the People : Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy words in our hearts, we beseech Thee.

THE MORNING WORSHIP.

Or this,

THE LAW OF LOVE.

The Minister may read these Commands of the Lord Jesus, the People saying or singing the last of the above responses.

Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets : I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you : Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of the least of these commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of the heavens : but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens. (Matt. v. 17-19.)

And Jesus said : The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel ; the Lord our God is one Lord : And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ( Mark xii. 29-31.)

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John xiii. 34, 35.)

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them : for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matt. vii. 12.)

All the People : Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy words in our hearts, we beseech Thee.

Or this,

THE BEATITUDES.

The Minister may read the Beatitudes of the Lord Jesus, the People saying or singing, at the end, the " Blessing and ho?tour.' 1 ''

Blessed are the poor in spirit : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

THE MORNING WORSHIP.

Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness : for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice and be exceeding glad ; for great is your reward in heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matt. v. 3-12.)

All the Blessing and honour, and glory and power, People : Be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne,

And unto the Lamb, forever and ever. Amen.

THE SCRIPTURE LESSON.

THE SERMON OF THE MINISTER.

ttyz Conclusion*

A HYMN. ■

This hymn may be sung by all the People, or by the Choir alone, or may be omitted altogether, if desired.

THE DISMISSAL.

At the end of the Minister's Benediction, let all the People, according to the Scripture usage, say Amen.

i.

2Detoottmt,

THE CALL TO WORSHIP.

Let the Mmister begin the service by reading one or more appropriate Scriptures.

THE EVENING DOXOLOGY.

Let all the People commence the worship in the following doxology :

Holy, holy, holy, though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, Only Thou art holy ; there is none beside Thee Perfect in power, in love, and purity. Amen.

Or, if preferred, the follozuing hymn of the Primitive Church may be used as an evening doxology :

Minister : Lift up your hearts.

People : We lift them up unto the Lord.

Minister : Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. People : It is meet and right so to do.

All the People standing.

THE EVENING WORSHIP.

Minister : It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.

People : Therefore with Angels and Archangels, And with all the company of heaven, We laud and magnify thy glorious Name ; Evermore praising Thee, and saying : Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory : Glory be to Thee, O Lord Most High. Amen.

A SCRIPTURAL CONFESSION.

Let Minister a?id People then unite in this Confession : people still Minister : Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the standing. s i n 0 f the world. ( John i. 29.)

People : All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa. liii. 6.)

Minister : Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon, (isa. Iv. 7.)

Minister O God, I acknowledge my trangressions, and my sin and is ever before me. Wash me thoroughly from mine People. iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. li. 2, 3, 10, n.)

Minister : God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and

hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

THE EVENING WORSHIP.

People and People.

There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. (Rom. viii. 1.)

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil :

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matt. vi. 9-13.)

An Anthem of Praise may here be sung by the Choir.

A SELECTION FROM THE PSALMS.

The Psalm is to be read responsively between the Minister a?td the People. At the end of the Psah?i should be sung :

Glory be to the Father, etc.

If desired, a brief Scripture Lesson of Praise may here be read by the Miftister. Passages like the following are suggested : Ps. xxxiv. 1-4; cv. 1-3; cxxxiv. ; cxxxv. 1-3; Phil. ii. 5—1 1 ; Rev. vii. 9-12; xix. 5-7.

A HYMN OF PRAISE

The hymn is to be sun & by all the People. Unless a special hymn is announced by the Minister, one of the following will be chanted antiphonally by the Choir and the People : either " Praise the Lord, O my soul" (page 39), or " Glory be to God on High " (page 40).

THE EVENING WORSHIP.

THE GENERAL PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE.

Let the uttered prayer of the Minister be the prayer of all the People. The Minister may close this prayer with the Apocalyptic Doxology :

Unto Him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father : to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. (Rev. i. 5, 6.)

To which let all the People say Amen.

At the close of this prayer, a response may be sung by the Choir, if desired.

THE OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE.

These should be gathered as in the Morning Service.

A HYMN OF FAITH AND CONSECRATION.

Let all the People sing the hymn. At the conclusion of this part of the Service any Announcements may be made.

II.

Some portion of the New Testament precepts should be read as part of the E veiling Instruction.

THE LAW OF CHRIST.

Minister : This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him

whom he hath sent. (John vi. 29.) People : I cried unto thee, Save me and I shall keep thy

testimonies. (Ps. cxix. 146.) Minister; Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he

said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

(Acts. xx. 35 )

THE EVENING WORSHIP.

People : I will run in the way of thy commandments when Thou shalt enlarge my heart. (Ps. cxix. 32.)

Minister : Take heed and beware of covetousness ; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (Lukexii. 15.)

People : Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to

COVetOUSness. (Ps. cxix. 36.)

Minister : Keep thyself pure. Fornication, and all uncleanness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints ; neither filthiness nor foolish talking. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth

speaketh. (1 Tim. v. 22 ; Eph. v. 3, 4; Matt. xii. 34.)

People : Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee. (Ps. cxix. n.)

Minister : Putting away lying, let every man speak truth with his neighbour; for we are members one of another.

People : I hate and abhor lying, but thy law do I love.

Minister : Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour

and evil speaking be put away from you, with all

malice. And be ye kind one to another.

People : Great peace have they which love thy law.

Minister : But I say unto you, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. As ye would that men should do unto you, do ye also unto them likewise. Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned. Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.

People : The earth, Lord, is full of thy mercy ; teach me thy statutes. (Ps. cxix. 64.)

THE EVENING V/ORSHIP.

Minister: This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (John xv. 12.)

People: I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments.

Minister: Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. (2 Pet. m. 18.)

People : Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is truth. (Ps. cxix. 142.)

Minister : Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding^ joy,

People : To the only wise God, our Saviour,

Be glory and majesty, dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24, 25.)

Or, instead of the foregoing Commandments, the Minister may read, if preferred, from the New Testament, any other passage, teaching what our Lord Itas commaiidedj as : Matt. v. 43-48 ; vi. 24-34; xxviii. 16-20; Rom. xii. ; 1 Cor. xiii. ; Eph. iv. 21-32 ; Col. iii. 1— 1 7 ; 1 John iv. 7-21 ; etc. At the conclusion of the passage should be sung:

Search me, O God, and know my heart :

Try me, and know my thoughts :

And see if there be any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the Way Everlasting. (Ps. cxxxix. 23, 24.)

THE SCRIPTURE LESSON.

THE SERMON OF THE MINISTER.

THE EVENING WORSHIP.

?7 t\)t Conclusion*

A HYMN.

This hymn may be sung by all the People, or by the Choir alone, or inay be omitted altogether, if desired.

THE DISMISSAL.

At the end of the Minister's Benediction, according to the Scripture usage, let all the People say Amen.

©ojcologte& lKcssponssc& anD Chants*

FOR THE FOREGOING SERVICE.

Music arranged by Walter J. Kugler i

I. MORNING AND EVENING DOXOLOGY.

Morning. Ho - ly, ho - ly, ho - ly.

Evening. Ho - ly, ho - ly, ho - ly,

Lord God Al - might - y ! tho' the darkness hide Thee,

Jr-t

* 9

*3

-■hah

Ear-ly in the morn Tho' the eye of sin - ing our song shall rise to Thee ful man thy glory may not see, ztz-t— h:

Ho - ly, ho - ly, ho On - ly Thou art ho

- ly ! mer-ci - ful and might -y!

- ly ; there is none be - side Thee, set

God in three persons, Per • feet in power, and

3*- „

5 . • blessed Trini - ty ! love, and puri • ty !

A - MEN.

A - MEN.

i

II. EVENING DOXOLOGY (2).

Tersanctus.

feb-a «

Therefore with angels, and archangels, and I with all the company of )

(2?

heaven,

^ : 4- — ^ we laud and magnify thy glorious

Name, a

Thee, and m say - ing, i

Ho - ly, ho - ly, ho ly, Lord God of hosts ;